diff --git a/package/matchbox-common/Config.in b/package/matchbox-common/Config.in
index f1c4ce3e1b..33d6cc4a36 100644
--- a/package/matchbox-common/Config.in
+++ b/package/matchbox-common/Config.in
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_COMMON
 	bool "matchbox-common"
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_LIB
 	depends on BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_PANEL && BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_DESKTOP
 	help
 	  Common desktop folders and matchbox-session script.
diff --git a/package/matchbox-desktop/Config.in b/package/matchbox-desktop/Config.in
index ed80c223d3..22c568bc1a 100644
--- a/package/matchbox-desktop/Config.in
+++ b/package/matchbox-desktop/Config.in
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_DESKTOP
 	bool "matchbox-desktop"
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_LIB
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_ZLIB
 	help
 	  A PDA style application launcher or 'item browser'.
diff --git a/package/matchbox-fakekey/Config.in b/package/matchbox-fakekey/Config.in
index 334f3a2a33..c0cde4245f 100644
--- a/package/matchbox-fakekey/Config.in
+++ b/package/matchbox-fakekey/Config.in
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_FAKEKEY
 	bool
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_LIB
diff --git a/package/matchbox-keyboard/Config.in b/package/matchbox-keyboard/Config.in
index 056a255cb4..8bd2a7972c 100644
--- a/package/matchbox-keyboard/Config.in
+++ b/package/matchbox-keyboard/Config.in
@@ -3,5 +3,6 @@ config BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_KEYBOARD
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_XLIB_LIBXTST
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_XLIB_LIBXFT if !BR2_PACKAGE_CAIRO
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_FAKEKEY
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_LIB
 	help
 	  Virtual Keyboard
diff --git a/package/matchbox-startup-monitor/Config.in b/package/matchbox-startup-monitor/Config.in
index 95af5fc842..522d7f7fe0 100644
--- a/package/matchbox-startup-monitor/Config.in
+++ b/package/matchbox-startup-monitor/Config.in
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_STARTUP_MONITOR
 	bool
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_MATCHBOX_LIB
 	default y if BR2_PACKAGE_STARTUP_NOTIFICATION